A Family Bible and My Great Grandfather's Death

Last week, my aunt and uncle had a Chanukah party at their house.  I asked my uncle (my mother's brother) if his mother had ever spoken about having aunts and uncles who were killed in the Holocaust, as my mother had never known that was the case.  He said that he knew that there were relatives killed, but "maybe the family Bible says something."  Family Bible?!?

It turns out my grandmother's youngest brother Herbie received a Chumash (Bible) from the Gemilas Chesed Sisterhood for his Bar Mitzvah.  And Uncle Herbie filled out some of the family information.

Joshowitz Siblings

He listed himself and his siblings along with Hebrew names and nicknames.  My grandmother Minnie's nickname of Myra (also what was on the 1940 census) was listed; sisters Molly and Ruthie were known as Mucky and Looty.  He also listed Molly's marriage to Larry Loden in 1942.

And then there was a page asking about ancestors:

Ancestors--or not

Phooey--most of the "genealogy" pages were blank.  He listed his parents and made a notation about his father's death: "At 2PM, Wed(nesday) Aft(ternoon).  A beautiful, hot, sunny day.  A day to be remembered."

There was more inside the front cover.  When he received the book, he wrote, "Im (sic) memory of the Bar Mitzvah of Herbert Joshowitz on the date of November 23, 1940. Given to me, H.J. on Nov. 12, 1941, by the Ladies Auxiliary of McKeesport, Pa."

And then came a description of the day of his father's death:

"(The emotional explanations are not included)

"10/21/47 - 7:30P.M

"Pop was killed Oct. 14, 1947, tues morn. at approx. 8:15, on the south side, Pittsb. on the way home from the produce yards.  He died on the way to the south side hospital - south side.

"Izzy (his older brother), I Hiam (his Hebrew name), with Bill Moldovan, went to identify Pa at the M. about 11:30 A.M. that morning.  Izzy broke down with me.  Pa was brought home at 7:P.M. in a blue, (velvet), plain casket (closed) & set in the living room parallel to the window on the porch.  Mr. Pasternak and Mr. Singer sat up and dovened (prayed) all night.  We examined or inspected the plot at the cemetery Tues. Afternoon with Mr. Greenfield (Shimon's dad).

"Wed., Pop was buried amidst a flow of tears I never again wish to encounter in any manner or form.

"May G-d Bless Pop & have Mercy on his Soul. - Amen Haim (Herbie's Hebrew Name) Josh."

I'll let that speak for itself.

Note:  I'm on Twitter.  Follow me (@larasgenealogy).

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